Gary Farrell Winery
Russian River Selection Chardonnay 2022
Russian River Valley, California
The Russian River Selection bottlings are quintessential Russian River Valley wines blended from some of the winery’s top vineyard sources. They are beautiful expressions of their varietal type and of the appellation’s unique terroir, each blend capturing the richness, purity and elegance that are Gary Farrell Winery’s trademarks. This layered and complex Chardonnay brings together fruit from several of our favorite Russian River Valley vineyard sites.
VINEYARD
The Russian River Selection bottlings are quintessential Russian River Valley wines blended from some of the winery’s top vineyard sources. They are beautiful expressions of their varietal type and of the appellation’s unique terroir, each blend capturing the richness, purity and elegance that are Gary Farrell Winery’s trademarks. This layered and complex Chardonnay brings together fruit from several of our favorite Russian River Valley vineyard sites. Anchored by the naturally balanced character of Westside Farms and intriguing floral and stone fruit notes from Bacigalupi Vineyard, the wine’s great concentration and structure derive from the nearby Rochioli and Allen vineyards. Olivet Lane Vineyard, featuring the Wente clone, adds refreshing citrus tones and excellent acidity.
Westside Farms, Bacigalupi
Vineyard– Goddard Ranch,
Olivet Lane Vineyard, Rochioli
Vineyard, Allen Vineyard,
Lazy W Vineyard, Martinelli
Vineyard– Parnell Ranch,
Pratt – Cornerstone Vineyard
WINEMAKING
The grapes were harvested in the cool morning hours at ~21-22.8° Brix. A quick pass was made through the rows a few days prior to harvest to drop fruit that didn’t express the optimal flavor and concentration. As anticipated, the grapes that were delivered to the winery were packed
with delicious, vibrant, varietally expressive characteristics. After a very careful hand-sorting, they combined all the fruit in the press, and used a gentle program to extract only the most desirable solids and phenolics. The resulting juice was left in tank to cold-settle overnight before transferring to 30% new and 70% one to three-year-old neutral French oak barrels and puncheons for fermentation and aging, where it remained for 10 months on its primary lees until it was time to bottle in June. The wines were racked off the primary lees only once, just before bottling.
VINTAGE
The 2022 winter was cold and dry, and spring followed was warm and sunny with the exception of a frost episode and a hailstrom in April.
TASTING NOTE
“This beautifully aromatic Russian River Chardonnay delivers aromas of fresh orchard fruits, honeydew melon and ripe lemon. The palate is richly layered with flavors of roasted nectarine, lime zest, crushed ginger, and baked lemon custard. The finish is bright and crisp, with a satisfyingly creamy texture that carries through to the tangy, persistent finish.” – Theresa Heredia Director of Winemaking
Color
White
Grape Varieties
Chardonnay
Appellation
Russian River Valley, California
Alcohol
13.5%
Suggested Retail Price
$48
Reviews
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir
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Russian River Selection Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley, California
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